South Dakota Sen. Tim Johnson Endorses Marriage Equality

The avalanche of Democratic Senators endorsing marriage equality continues today as Sen. Tim Johnson (D-SD), who is retiring at the end of his current term, added his support. He told David Montgomery of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader that his “views have evolved”:

JOHNSON: After lengthy consideration, my views have evolved sufficiently to support marriage equality legislation. This position doesn’t require any religious denomination to alter any of its tenets; it simply forbids government from discrimination regarding who can marry whom.

Only three Democratic senators remain who have not endorsed marriage equality, Sens. Mark Pryor (AR), Joe Manchin (WV), and Mary Landrieu (LA). Landrieu has explained that her personal views have evolved, but she is withholding her support because she’s “looking at the people of Louisiana trying to represent their interests.”

Conversely, 43 Republican Senators still oppose same-sex marriage, though they are now outnumbered by a 54-vote majority.